Durham Uni self-catered

[everythingisgoingup]

DD thinking of here for Uni, she has been offered and is thinking of self catering.

Anyone have experience or advice?

Thanks 😊

DD is in first year. Food has been OK, she's met other people in her college just through being in the dining room and is house sharing with them next year. Not sure how much it varies between colleges though.

Hi TerrifiedandWorried which college is she in?

Has accommodation for next year been an issue?

Sorry, that didn't make much sense- catered experience for you to compare to!

😊

Hatfield

Thanks 😀

All 4 of the new hill colleges (South, Snow, Stephenson and Butler) are self-catered.

Very impressed by both the accommodation and the kitchen/lounge areas when visited during Open Day and a couple of them (can't remember which) served food (eat-in and takeaway) in their bar/cafe areas - DS was impressed with the menus.

The only negative is that Durham doesn't have any supermarkets (Tesco/Sainsbury's/Lidl etc) in reasonable walking distance from the colleges - they're all on the outskirts so are a bus/taxi ride or a good hike away.

Sorry hijacking the thread somewhat. Can I ask a question re Hatfield - it all seems very built on and there didn’t really seem to be any lawns. Are there lawns anywhere behind the college (or anywhere)?

Thanks bguthb90 sounds like the self catering colleges have options!

DD wants to cook herself and money is an issue too so S-C is our preference.

The city is too small to accommodate large supermarkets which is why it is so pretty I guess! 😉

It means that they need to travel though ☹️

We're n the same situation. We have until 23 April to rank preferences.

DS is a first year in Stephenson. He chose and has been happy with self-catering. It's got big communal kitchens. He and a couple of friends share a Tesco delivery from the big superstore and he buys bits in between from the little Tesco and an independent.

They are a good 30 or so minutes walk away but DS has managed to do this all
year so far from Snow. A few of them go together and walk there and back. He now orders a box of beer on one of his flat mates shopping delivery orders. But he still walks to and from the shops with his weekly shopping so it is doable but crazy that no nearer supermarkets to the hill colleges.

Thanks ewwsprout that sounds manageable, they are students after all 😂

Seriously though I think my DD will something similar and they don't eat like a family four.

BeeBb it looks a long way and I know it is hilly.

I think the shared thing is an option, thank you for sharing your experiences!

DS is at Butler. He sometimes shares a Tesco delivery, or takes the bus to Asda in Spennymoor (only £1 on the bus, and it’s cheaper than Tesco). The kitchens are big. I just wish he would be a bit more adventurous in his cooking lol!

@everythingisgoingup Ds is now year 2. He was in South. He had Tesco delivery every 2 weeks and he had a teeny slow cooker for cooking frozen chicken breast in sauces (thai curry, Indian curry, Jambalaya etc) any top up for bread/milk was done straight from a lecture as you are almost half way to town. Ds often bumped into people walking back up the hill with shopping so would help carry stuff and others offered to help him carry stuff too.

Although there was an initial panic about 2nd year accommodation there are still options available now from July this year, either whole houses or individual rooms in shared houses and close to town not really far out. The rush happens because people want a particular area that is close to town. Ds chose his accommodation because it is close to the main campus sites and that is where he will be every day for lectures etc.

Durham is good because it is small you can get to places quickly.

Thanks Medodo that is really helpful.

I studied there many years ago but the campus has spread out so the halls are different now.

Students tend to rally around so that sounds great!

I wondered whether this was the situation with 2nd years wanting to be in walking distance because when I looked there were options but further out

Sorry MeDoDoDo

My daughter is a first year in South college. South and Snow have the newest accommodation with 3/4 double beds, en-suite and nice kitchens although Butler and Stephenson are also nice.

Self-catering has worked well for her. She’s going back tomorrow and she’s been batch cooking and freezing portions of curry, chilli, bolognese etc to make things easier when she’s back.

The supermarket thing hasn’t really been an issue as she has a delivery pass for Tesco and all her flatmates will add items to the order.

There was a bit of stress about accommodation for next year especially as it all kicked off just three weeks into term 1. However, her group of six found a lovely house in December so they are sorted for next year.

Overall her experience has been positive. She said she very pleased she chose Durham.